U.S. patent application number 10/684724 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-01 for closure and container package with child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of operation.
Invention is credited to Konefal, Robert S., Shingle, John M., Wolfe, Steven R..
Application Number | 20050263477 10/684724 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34465460 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050263477 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Konefal, Robert S. ; et
al. |
December 1, 2005 |
Closure and container package with child-resistant and
non-child-resistant modes of operation
Abstract
A package that has both child-resistant and non-child-resistant
modes of operation. A container has an end with an open mouth
surrounded by a container wall with a central axis and at least one
first lock element extending radially outwardly from the wall. A
closure includes an annular base wall having inner and outer
peripheral edges. A cylindrical skirt extends from the outer
peripheral edge of the base wall, and at least one second lock
element is disposed on the skirt. A projection extends axially from
the inner peripheral edge of the base wall in a direction opposite
from the skirt. The projection has an annular sidewall spaced
radially inwardly from the outer peripheral edge of the skirt. The
closure is adapted to be secured to the container in a
child-resistant mode of operation with the second lock element on
the skirt releasably engaged with the first lock element on the
container wall, and with the inner peripheral edge of the base wall
in resilient engagement with the outer surface of the container
wall to bias the lock elements in engagement with each other and to
seal the package. The closure is adapted to be inverted and secured
to the container in a non-child-resistant mode of operation with
the annular sidewall of the projection received in plug-sealing
engagement within the container mouth.
Inventors: |
Konefal, Robert S.; (Wilton,
NH) ; Wolfe, Steven R.; (Maumee, OH) ;
Shingle, John M.; (Perrysburg, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OWENS-ILLINOIS, INC.
ONE SEAGATE, 25-LDP
TOLEDO
OH
43666
US
|
Family ID: |
34465460 |
Appl. No.: |
10/684724 |
Filed: |
October 13, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
215/228 ;
215/222; 215/332 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 41/06 20130101;
B65D 2215/02 20130101; B65D 2251/09 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
215/228 ;
215/222; 215/332 |
International
Class: |
B65D 050/00 |
Claims
1. A child-resistant package that includes: a container having a
container wall surrounding an open mouth, a plurality of external
projections extending radially outwardly from said container wall
at positions spaced from said mouth, notches on undersides of said
projections, and an external surface on said container wall that
slopes radially inwardly and axially upwardly between said
projections and said mouth, and a closure having an annular base
wall with a peripheral skirt, a plurality of internal lugs on said
skirt, and an internal peripheral edge on said base wall, said
internal peripheral edge of said base wall being engagable with
said sloping external wall surface of said container wall for
sealing said package and for resiliently urging said lugs into said
notches.
2. The package set forth in claim 1 wherein said container wall is
radially resiliently flexible around said mouth, being adapted to
flex radially inwardly upon engagement with said inner peripheral
edge of said base wall for resiliently urging said lugs into said
notches and sealing said closure to said container.
3. The package set forth in claim 2 wherein said container wall
tapers in radial thickness surrounding said mouth.
4. The package set forth in claim 2 wherein said container includes
an internal channel in said container wall adjacent to an end of
said container wall to facilitate inward flexure of said wall
around said mouth.
5. The package set forth in claim 1 wherein said container wall is
radially inflexible around said mouth, and wherein said closure is
adapted to flex radially outwardly around said base wall for
axially urging said lugs into said notches.
6. The package set forth in claim 5 wherein said container wall
includes an external bead surrounding said mouth and stiffening
said wall against radial flexure around said mouth, said external
surface being a conical surface on said bead.
7. The package set forth in claim 1 wherein said base wall is flat
and planar.
8. The package set forth in claim 1 wherein said container has an
external ledge that extends radially outwardly from said wall and
on which said projections are disposed.
9. A package having child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes
of operation, which includes: a container having an end with an
open mouth surrounded by a container wall with a central axis and
an outer surface surrounding said mouth, and at least one first
lock element extending radially outwardly from said wall, and a
closure that includes an annular base wall having inner and outer
peripheral edges, a cylindrical skirt extending from said outer
peripheral edge of said base wall, at least one second lock element
on said skirt, and a projection extending axially from said inner
peripheral edge of said base wall in a direction opposite from said
skirt, said projection having an annular sidewall spaced radially
inwardly from said outer peripheral edge of said skirt, said
closure being adapted to be secured to said container in a
child-resistant mode of operation with said at least one second
lock element on said skirt releasably engaged with said at least
one first lock element on said container wall, and with said inner
peripheral edge of said base wall in engagement with said outer
surface of said container wall to bias said lock elements in
engagement with each other and to seal said package, said closure
being adapted to be secured to said container in a
non-child-resistant mode of operation with said annular sidewall of
said projection received in plug-sealing engagement within said
container mouth.
10. The package set forth in claim 9 wherein said base wall is flat
lying in a plane between said inner and outer peripheral edges, and
wherein said inner and outer peripheral edges are circular and
concentric.
11. The package set forth in claim 9 wherein said container wall is
radially resiliently flexible around said mouth, flexing radially
inwardly from engagement with said inner peripheral edge of said
base wall in said child-resistant mode of operation and radially
outwardly from engagement with said annular wall in said
non-child-resistant mode of operation.
12. The package set forth in claim 11 wherein said container wall
tapers in radial thickness surrounding said mouth.
13. The package set forth in claim 11 wherein said container
includes an internal channel in said container wall adjacent to an
end of said container wall to facilitate inward flexure of said
wall around said mouth.
14. The package set forth in claim 11 wherein said projection on
said closure includes a conical sidewall that extends between said
annular sidewall and said inner peripheral edge of said base wall,
said conical sidewall having an inner surface that engages said
outer surface of said container wall in said child-resistant mode
of operation.
15. The package set forth in claim 9 wherein said container wall is
radially inflexible around said mouth, and wherein said closure is
adapted to flex radially outwardly around said base wall for
radially urging said lugs into said notches.
16. The package set forth in claim 15 wherein said wall of said
container wall includes a radially outwardly extending external
bead surrounding said mouth and stiffening said container wall
against radial flexure around said mouth, said bead having a
conical outer surface for engagement by said inner peripheral edge
of said base wall in said child-resistant mode of operation to flex
said base wall radially outwardly.
17. The package set forth in claim 16 wherein said closure includes
a flexible resilient wall spaced radially outwardly from said
annular wall of said projection for resiliently embracing said bead
on said container wall in said non-child-resistant mode of
operation.
18. The package set forth in claim 9 wherein said container has a
circumferential bead extending radially inwardly from an inside
surface of said container wall adjacent to said mouth, and wherein
said closure has a radially outwardly extending circumferential
bead on said projection annular wall for snap-fit over said bead on
said container wall in said non-child-resistant mode of
operation.
19. The package set forth in claim 18 wherein said bead on said
container is circumferentially discontinuous.
20. The package set forth in claim 9 wherein said closure includes
a wall extending from said outer peripheral edge of said base wall
in a direction opposite from said skirt for engaging said at least
one first lock element on said container in said
non-child-resistant mode of operation.
21. The package set forth in claim 20 wherein said at least one
first lock element includes a plurality of projections on said
container wall, said projections having shoulders in a common
plane, and wherein said wall extending from said outer peripheral
edge has an internal bead for engagement over said shoulders in
said non-child-resistant mode of operation.
22. The package set forth in claim 9 wherein said closure includes
a wall extending from said outer peripheral edge of said base wall
for covering said at least one first lock element on said container
when said projection is received within the container mouth.
23. A closure for receipt on a container in child-resistant and
non-child-resistant modes of operation, which includes: an annular
base wall having concentric circular inner and outer peripheral
edges, a cylindrical skirt extending from said outer peripheral
edge of said base wall, at least one lock element on said skirt,
and a projection extending axially from said inner peripheral edge
of said base wall coaxially with said skirt and in a direction
opposite from said skirt, said inner peripheral edge of said base
wall having a radially inwardly facing surface for radial external
engagement with an opposing external surface on a container.
24. The closure set forth in claim 23 wherein said radially
inwardly facing surface is conical, narrowing toward said
projection.
25. A closure for receipt on a container, which includes: an
annular base wall having concentric circular inner and outer
peripheral edges, a cylindrical skirt extending from said outer
peripheral edge of said base wall, and at least one internal lock
element on said skirt, said inner peripheral edge of said base wall
having an angulated surface for engaging and flexing an open end of
a container.
26. A container for a child-resistant package, which includes: a
wall surrounding an open mouth, a plurality of external projections
extending radially outwardly from said wall at positions spaced
from said mouth and notches on undersides of said projections, said
wall having a portion that narrows in radial thickness between said
projections and said mouth and having a radially outwardly facing
conical wall surface, said portion of said wall being adapted
resiliently to flex radially inwardly upon engagement of a closure
to bias lugs on the closure into locking engagement with said
notches.
27. The container set forth in claim 26 having a circumferential
bead extending radially inwardly from an inside surface of said
wall adjacent to said mouth.
28. The container set forth in claim 27 wherein said bead lies in a
plane spaced from said mouth.
29. The container set forth in claim 28 wherein said bead is
circumferentially segmented.
30. The container set forth in claim 26 wherein said container
includes an internal channel in said container wall adjacent to an
end of said container wall to facilitate inward flexure of said
wall around said mouth.
31. The container set forth in claim 26 wherein said container has
an external ledge that extends radially outwardly from said wall
and on which said projections are disposed.
32. A method of making a package having child-resistant and
non-child-resistant modes of operation, which includes the steps
of: (a) providing a container having an end with an open mouth
surrounded by a container wall with a central axis and an outer
surface surrounding said mouth, and at least one first lock element
extending radially outwardly from said wall, and (b) providing a
closure that includes an annular base wall having innerand outer
peripheral edges, a cylindrical skirt extending from said outer
peripheral edge of said base wall, at least one second lock element
on said skirt, and a dome extending axially from said inner
peripheral edge of said base wall in a direction opposite from said
skirt, said dome having an annular sidewall spaced radially
inwardly from said outer peripheral edge of said skirt, said
closure being adapted to be secured to said container in a
child-resistant mode of operation with said at least one second
lock element on said skirt releasably engaged with said at least
one first lock element on said container wall, and with said inner
peripheral edge of said base wall in resilient engagement with said
outer surface of said container wall to bias said lock elements in
engagement with each other and to seal said package, said closure
being adapted to be secured to said container in a
non-child-resistant mode of operation with said annular sidewall of
said dome received in plug-sealing engagement within said container
mouth.
33. A package having child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes
of operation, which includes: a container having an end with an
open mouth surrounded by a wall with a central axis, at least one
first lock element extending radially outwardly from an outer
surface of said wall, a radially inwardly facing surface on said
wall adjacent to said end, and an internal channel on spaced
radially inwardly facing surface spaced from said end, and a
closure that includes a base wall, a cylindrical skirt extending
from an outer peripheral edge of said base wall, at least one
second lock element on said skirt, and a projection extending
axially from said base wall in a direction opposite from said
skirt, said projection on said closure having a sidewall spaced
radially inwardly from said outer peripheral edge of said base
wall, a radially outwardly facing surface on said sidewall adjacent
to said base wall, and a radially outwardly extending
circumferential bead on a side of said radially outwardly facing
surface spaced from said base wall, said closure being secured to
said container in a child-resistant mode of operation with said
second lock element on said skirt releasably engaged with said
first lock element on said container, said closure being secured to
said container in a non-child-resistant mode of operation with said
projection received within said container mouth, with said radially
outwardly facing surface on said projection sidewall adjacent to
said base wall-in sealing engagement with said radially inwardly
facing surface on said container wall adjacent to said end, and
with said radially outwardly extending circumferential bead on said
projection received by releasable snap-fit retention within said
internal channel to secure said closure to said container.
Description
[0001] Reference is made to U.S. application Ser. Nos. 10/388,293,
10/386,192 and 10/378,441 assigned to the assignee of the present
application.
[0002] The present invention relates to child-resistant closure and
container packages, such as prescription packages for example, to
closures and containers for such packages, and to methods of making
such packages.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,057,159, 4,059,198 and 4,485,932 disclose
child-resistant closure and container prescription packages that
include a container or vial, a closure, and a spring/seal disk
arrangement disposed between the closure and the container. The
closure has lugs on an inside surface of a skirt that cooperate
with external locking notches or pockets on projections around the
mouth of the container for securing the closure to the container.
An internal abutment on the closure cooperates with the spring/seal
disk(s) to urge the closure away from the container so that the
lugs are resiliently captured within the notches. When it is
desired to remove the closure, the closure is pushed toward the
container so that the lugs clear the notches, and then turned
counterclockwise. When the closure is assembled to the container,
the lugs cam beneath surfaces on the projections against the force
of the spring seal disk(s) until the lugs snap into the notches on
the projections.
[0004] Although the closure and container packages disclosed in the
noted patents have enjoyed substantial commercial acceptance and
success, improvements remain desirable. For example, it can be
difficult for adults with impaired dexterity to push and twist the
closure with respect to the container to open the package for
access to the contents. One general object of the present invention
to provide a closure and container package, a closure and a
container for use in such a package, and/or a method of making such
a package, in which the closure can be secured to the container in
a child-resistant mode of operation as described above, and in a
non-child-resistant mode of operation for use by adults with
impaired manual dexterity, for example, when child-resistance is
not needed. It is another and more specific object of the present
invention to provide a package, a container, a closure and/or a
method of the described character that achieves the
non-child-resistant mode of operation with little additional
material, tooling or labor cost as compared with conventional
child-resistant packages as described in the noted patents.
[0005] Another general object of the present invention is to
provide a two-piece package of the subject type--i.e., a closure
and a container without a separate spring element--in which the
spring forces for holding the closure on the container are provided
by resilient flexure of either or both of the closure and the
container. In furtherance of this objective, another object of the
invention is to provide a package in which the closure and
container are economical to manufacture. A further objective is to
provide a package that is readily suited to automated
packaging--i.e., is automation friendly.
[0006] The present invention embodies a number of aspects that can
be implemented separately from or, more preferably, in combination
with each other.
[0007] A child-resistant package in accordance with a first aspect
of the present invention includes a container having a wall
surrounding an open mouth, a plurality of external projections
extending radially outwardly from the container wall at positions
spaced from the mouth, notches on undersides of the projections,
and an external surface on the container wall that slopes radially
inwardly and axially upwardly between the projections and the
mouth. A closure has an annular base wall with an internal
peripheral edge, an external a peripheral skirt and a plurality of
internal lugs on the skirt. The internal peripheral edge of the
base wall is engagable with the sloping external wall surface of
the container between the projections and the mouth for both
sealing the package and resiliently urging the closure lugs into
the notches of the projections. The holding forces can be supplied
by resilient flexure of the closure or the container, or both. A
two-piece package in accordance with this aspect of the invention
thus eliminates any need for additional spring/seal disk elements
in the assembly.
[0008] A package in accordance with another aspect of the present
invention has both child-resistant and non-child-resistant modes of
operation. A container has an end with an open mouth surrounded by
a container wall with a central axis and at least one first lock
element extending radially outwardly from the wall. A closure
includes an annular base wall having inner and outer peripheral
edges. A cylindrical skirt extends from the outer peripheral edge
of the base wall, and at least one second lock element is disposed
on the skirt. A projection extends axially from the inner
peripheral edge of the base wall in a direction opposite from the
skirt. The projection has an annular sidewall spaced radially
inwardly from the outer peripheral edge of the skirt. The closure
is adapted to be secured to the container in a child-resistant mode
of operation with the at least one second lock element on the skirt
releasably engaged with the at least one first lock element on the
container wall, and with the inner peripheral edge of the base wall
in resilient engagement with the outer surface of the container
wall to bias the lock elements in engagement with each other and to
seal the package. The closure is adapted to be inverted and secured
to the container in a non-child-resistant mode of operation with
the annular sidewall of the dome received in plug-sealing
engagement within the container mouth.
[0009] In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the annular
base wall of the closure is flat and lies in a plane between the
inner and outer peripheral edges of the base wall. The inner and
outer peripheral edges of the base wall preferably are circular and
concentric. In some embodiments of the invention, the portion of
the container wall between the lock element(s) on the container
wall and the container mouth tapers in radial thickness. This
container wall portion is flexible radially inwardly upon
engagement with the inner peripheral edge of the base wall in the
child-resistant mode of operation, and radially outwardly upon
engagement with the closure projection in the non-child-resistant
mode of operation. In one embodiment, an undercut on the inner
surface of the container enhances the flexibility of the container
end. In other embodiments of the invention, an external stiffening
bead or rib surrounds the container mouth to prevent flexure of the
container wall portion surrounding the mouth, and the closure
itself is resiliently flexible radially outwardly in the
child-resistant mode of operation for sealing the package and
biasing the locking elements in engagement with each other. In some
embodiments of the invention, an external bead on the closure
projection engages an internal bead on the container wall to secure
the closure to the container in the non-child-resistant mode of
operation. In other embodiments of the invention, an external wall
on the closure surrounds the projection and externally engages the
container to secure the closure to the container in the
non-child-resistant mode of operation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention, together with additional objects, features
and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following
description, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a closure and container
package in accordance with one presently preferred embodiment of
the invention in a child-resistant mode of operation;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view of the package
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale of the
portion of FIG. 2 within the area 3;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary partially sectional elevational view
of the container in the package of FIGS. 1-3;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the container in FIG. 4;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view on an enlarged scale of the
portion of FIG. 5 within the area 6;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of the portion of
FIG. 4 within the area 7;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a partially sectioned elevational view of the
closure in the package of FIGS. 1-3;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale
of the portion of FIG. 8 within the area 9;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of the package of
FIGS. 1-3 in a non-child-resistant mode of operation;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale
of the portion of FIG. 10 within the area 11;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to that of
FIG. 2 but showing a modified package in accordance with the
invention in a child-resistant mode of operation;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a partially sectioned elevational view similar to
that of FIG. 8 but illustrating the closure in the package of FIG.
12;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale
of the portion of FIG. 13 within the area 14;
[0025] FIG. 15 is a fragmentary sectional view of the package in
FIG. 12 in a non-child-resistant mode of operation;
[0026] FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale
of the portion of FIG. 15 within the area 16;
[0027] FIG. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view of a closure and
container package in accordance with yet another embodiment of the
invention in a child-resistant mode of operation;
[0028] FIG. 18 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale
of the portion of FIG. 17 within the area 18;
[0029] FIG. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view of the package of
FIGS. 17-18 in a non-child-resistant mode of operation;
[0030] FIG. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale
of the portion of FIG. 19 within the area 20;
[0031] FIG. 21 is a fragmentary sectional view that illustrates a
package in accordance with a further embodiment of the invention in
a child-resistant mode of operation;
[0032] FIG. 22 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale
of the portion of FIG. 21 within the area 22;
[0033] FIG. 23 is a fragmentary sectional view of the package of
FIGS. 21-22 in a non-child-resistant mode of operation;
[0034] FIG. 24 is a fragmentary sectional view on an enlarged scale
of the portion of FIG. 23 within the area 24;
[0035] FIGS. 25 and 26 are fragmentary sectional views of
respective additional embodiments of the invention; and
[0036] FIGS. 27 and 28 are respective fragmentary sectional views
of a container and a closure in accordance with another embodiment
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0037] FIGS. 1-3 and 10-11 illustrate a package 30 in accordance
with one presently preferred embodiment of the invention. Package
30 includes a container or vial 32 and a closure 34 secured to
container 32 either in a child-resistant mode of operation
illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, or in a non-child-resistant mode of
operation illustrated in FIGS. 10-11.
[0038] Referring in particular to FIGS. 4-7, container 32 includes
a sidewall 36 and a bottom wall 38. A circumferential array of
projections 40 extend radially outwardly near the upper end of
sidewall 38. Each projection 40 has a downwardly facing notch or
pocket 42 for receiving locking lugs on the closure in a
child-resistant mode of operation, and a cam surface 44 for camming
the lugs into notches 42. Projections 40 lie in a plane
perpendicular to the axis of the container. A portion 46 of
container wall 36 extends upwardly from the plane of projections
40. As best seen in FIG. 7, the portion 46 of container wall 36
that extends upwardly from projections 40 preferably tapers
narrowingly in radial thickness toward the upper end or edge 48
that surrounds the mouth 50 of the container. The radially
outwardly facing surface 52 of wall portion 46 preferably is
conical, while the inner surface 54 preferably is substantially
cylindrical (ignoring draft angle). (Directional words such as
"upwardly" and "downwardly" are employed by way of description and
not limitation with respect to the upright orientation of the
container illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, 7 and 10-11. Directional words
such as "radial" and "axial" are employed by way of description and
not limitation with respect to the central axis of the closure or
container as appropriate.) A circumferential bead 56 extends
radially inwardly from inner surface 54 of the container wall. Bead
56 is circumferentially segmented in the embodiment of FIGS. 4-7,
comprising circumferentially spaced axially and radially enlarged
segments 56a separated from each other by smaller segments 56b.
Bead 56 is spaced from upper end 48 in the embodiment of FIGS.
1-11, being disposed radially inwardly of projections 40 as best
seen in FIGS. 4 and 7.
[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 8-9, closure 34 includes an annular
base wall 58. Base wall 58 preferably is flat, lying in a plane
perpendicular to the axis of the closure, having concentric
circular inner and outer peripheral edges 60, 62. A cylindrical
skirt 64 extends from outer peripheral edge 60, and has a plurality
of circumferentially spaced lugs 66 extending radially inwardly
from the inner surface of the skirt in a plane spaced from base
wall 58. A projection generally indicated at 68 extends from inner
peripheral edge 62 of base wall 60 coaxially with skirt 64 and in
an opposite direction from the skirt. Projection 68 may be either
hollow, as shown, or solid. Projection 68 in the embodiment of
FIGS. 8-9 includes a conical wall portion 70 contiguous with inner
peripheral edge 62 of base wall 58, and a stepped annular wall
portion 72 having a substantially cylindrical radially outwardly
facing surface 74. An axially facing end wall 76 closes the end of
wall 72, and preferably is flat for provision of suitable labeling
or the like. It will be noted in FIG. 9 that the inner surface of
conical wall portion 70 forms an extension from inner peripheral
edge 62 of annular base wall 58, which is to say that inner
peripheral edge 62 preferably is conical in construction, for
purposes to be described. A circumferential bead 78 extends
radially outwardly from wall portion 72 of closure projection 68
adjacent to end wall 76.
[0040] In a child-resistant mode of operation illustrated in FIGS.
1-3, skirt 64 of closure 34 is received over the open end of
container wall 36, and inner peripheral edge 62 of closure base
wall 58 engages outer surface 52 of container wall portion 46.
Continued downward movement of the closure with respect to the
container flexes container wall portion 46 radially inwardly.
Clockwise rotation of the closure on the container cams closure
lugs 66 over surfaces 44 (FIG. 4) on container projections 40 until
lugs 66 lock into projection notches 42. The angles of taper of
closure base wall inner peripheral edge 62 and container wall
surface 52, and the flexibility of container wall portion 46,
preferably are such that there is full surface sealing engagement
between edge 62 and surface 52, as best seen in FIG. 3, in the
fully closed position of the closure on the container in the
child-resistant mode of operation. Inner peripheral edge 62 of the
closure base wall 58 thus cooperates with container wall portion 46
both to seal the package in the child-resistant mode of operation
and resiliently to urge closure locking lugs 66 into container
locking notches 42. To remove the closure, the closure is manually
urged axially downwardly over the container against the force of
wall portion 46 until the closure lugs clear the projection
notches, and the closure is then turned counterclockwise.
[0041] In the non-child-resistant mode of operation illustrated in
FIGS. 10-11, closure 34 is inverted (as compared with FIGS. 1-3)
and projection 68 is inserted into container mouth 50. Annular
surface 74 is brought into engagement with inside surface 54 of
container wall portion 46 for plug-sealing the closure within the
container. In the meantime, bead 78 on closure 34 is received by
snap fit over bead 56 on container 32 to secure the closure in the
non-child-resistant position. Container wall portion 46 flexes
radially outwardly upon engagement with closure wall surface 74 to
enhance the sealing engagement between surfaces 74, 54.
[0042] FIGS. 12-28 illustrate packages, closures and containers in
accordance with modified embodiments of the invention. Reference
numerals in FIGS. 12-28 that are identical to those in FIGS. 1-11
indicate similar components. The descriptions of FIGS. 12-28 will
concentrate primarily on differences as compared with FIGS. 1-11
and with each other.
[0043] FIGS. 12-16 illustrate a package 80 that includes a closure
82 mounted on a container 84 in a child-resistant mode of operation
in FIG. 12, and in a non-child-resistant mode of operation in FIGS.
15 and 16. Container 84 is similar to container 32 discussed in
detail above in connection with FIGS. 1-11, except that the bead
for securing the closure to the container in the
non-child-resistant mode of operation comprises a circumferentially
segmented bead 86 (FIG. 12). Likewise, closure 82 in FIGS. 12-16 is
similar to closure 34 in FIGS. 1-11, except that the annular wall
88 in closure 82 is a single cylindrical wall portion (ignoring
draft angle), as distinguished from the stepped wall 72 in closure
34. In closure 82, projection 68 has a radially outwardly facing
circumferential rib or bead 92 that is formed by an undercut 90 in
annular wall 88. In assembly, this undercut 90 is received by snap
fit over internal bead 86 on container 84 to secure the closure in
position in the non-child-resistant mode of operation illustrated
in FIGS. 15 and 16. Annular wall 88 of closure 82 has radially
outwardly facing surface 74 in full sealing contact with radially
inwardly facing surface 54 of container wall portion 46. Thus, once
again, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-11, container wall portion
46 functions to seal the package in both the child-resistant and
the non-child-resistant modes of operation, and resiliently
captures the closure on the container in both modes of
operation.
[0044] FIGS. 17-20 illustrate a package 100 in accordance with a
further embodiment of the invention in a child-resistant mode of
operation (FIGS. 17-18) and a non-child-resistant mode of operation
(FIGS. 19-20). Package 100 includes a container 102 and a closure
104. Container 102 is illustrated as including a body 106 having a
cylindrical finish 108. (This same type of container may be
employed in FIGS. 1-16, while the vial-type containers of FIGS.
1-16 can be employed in the packages of FIGS. 17-24.) A
circumferential array of projections 40 extend radially outwardly
from finish 108, and have notches 42 for capturing closure 104 in
the child-resistant mode of operation (FIGS. 17-18). An external
rib or bead 114 extends circumferentially around the upper edge of
container finish 108 surrounding container mouth 116. Bead 114
serves to thicken and rigidify the upper end of the container
finish. Bead 114 has an axially facing outer surface 124 and a
radially outwardly facing surface 118 that is conical in geometry,
narrowing axially toward surface 124 and the open mouth of the
container.
[0045] Closure 104 includes annular base wall 58 having an outer
peripheral edge from which cylindrical skirt 64 extends. Lugs 66
extend radially inwardly from skirt 64 for capture within notches
42 on lugs 40. Conical wall 70 extends from inner peripheral edge
62 of base wall 58, forming a conical surface extension of the
inner peripheral edge of the base wall, as discussed in detail
above in connection with FIGS. 1-11. Thus, as in the previous
embodiments, inner peripheral edge 62 of base wall 58 cooperates
with external surface 118 surrounding the container mouth both for
sealing the package and for resiliently capturing the closure on
the container in the child-resistant mode of operation. However, in
the embodiment of FIGS. 17-20 (and the embodiment of FIGS. 21-24),
the resiliency for biasing the closure to the locked position is
provided by outward flexure of closure base wall 58 rather than
inward flexure of container finish 108, which is strengthened and
rigidified by bead 114.
[0046] Projection 68 of closure 104 has annular wall 72 with a
radially outwardly facing surface 74. An annular seal bead 120 is
disposed on a step 122 of projection 68 for axial abutting
engagement with outer end surface 124 of container finish 108 in
the non-child-resistant mode of operation (FIGS. 19 and 20).
Surface 74 of wall 72 is in plug-sealing engagement within mouth
116 of container finish 108, as in the prior embodiments. A
cylindrical wall 125 extends from the outer peripheral edge of base
wall 58 as an axial extension of closure skirt 64 and radially
outwardly surrounding projection 68. Each projection 40 on
container finish 108 has a downwardly facing ledge 127, with the
ledges 127 of the several projections 40 lying in a plane
perpendicular to the axis of the container finish. Closure wall 125
has a radially inwardly extending circumferential bead 129 that is
received by snap fit over ledges 127 of the several projections 40
to secure closure 104 in inverted position (FIGS. 19 and 20) in the
non-child-resistant mode of operation.
[0047] FIGS. 21-24 illustrate a closure and container package 126
in child-resistant (FIGS. 21-22) and non-child-resistant (FIGS.
23-24) modes of operation. Package 126 includes a container 102
that is substantially the same as container 102 in FIGS. 17-20 but
need not include projection shoulders 127, and a closure 128
secured to the container. Closure 128 includes annular base wall 58
with outer peripheral skirt 64 and lugs 66 for receipt in notches
42 of projections 40 on container finish 108. Closure 128 also
includes a conical wall 70 that extends from inner peripheral edge
62 of closure base wall 58, forming a continuous conical surface
that cooperates with conical surface 118 of a strengthening bead
114 around the container mouth. Thus, as in the embodiment of FIGS.
17-20, closure base wall 58 cooperates with surface 118 on
strengthening bead 114 both to seal the package in the
child-resistant mode of operation (FIGS. 21-22) and to urge locking
lugs 66 into locking engagement with container finish projections
40. Projection 68 of closure 128 includes annular wall 72 with
radially outwardly facing surface 74 that abuts the radially
inwardly facing surface of container finish 108 in the
non-child-resistant mode of operation (FIGS. 23-24). There is also
axial abutment between opposed surfaces of the container and
closure in the non-child-resistant mode of operation for additional
sealing integrity. A seal bead may be provided on closure 128, such
as seal bead 120 in the embodiment of FIGS. 17-20. A
circumferentially continuous flexible resilient lip or wall 130
extends around closure 128 radially outwardly spaced from surface
74 of projection wall 72 for interference fit over bead 114 on
container finish 108 removably to capture closure 128 on container
102 in the non-child-resistant mode of operation (FIGS. 23-24).
[0048] FIG. 25 illustrates a child-resistant package 140 that
includes a closure 142 and a container 144. An undercut or channel
146 extends circumferentially around the inside surface of
container wall 36 to facilitate inward flexure of upper wall
portion 46. Undercut or channel 146 in FIG. 25 is radially inward
from the upper surfaces of projections 42. Thus, as in the
embodiments of FIGS. 1-16, the resilient forces that provide
child-resistance come from inward flexure of wall portion 46 in
FIG. 25.
[0049] FIG. 26 illustrates a package 150 that includes a closure
152 and a container 154. Container 154 is similar to container 32
in FIGS. 1-6, except that projections 40 are provided on an
external ledge 156 that extends radially outwardly from wall 36
entirely around the container. Ledge 156 facilitates pick up of
container 154 by automated filling apparatus, and thus makes
package 150 more automation friendly. Closure 152 is similar to
closure 34 in FIGS. 1-3 and 8-11, except that an outer wall 158 is
provided around projection 68. Outer wall 158 is an axial extension
of skirt 64, and serves to hide projections 40 when closure 152 is
assembled to container 154 in a non-child-resistant mode of
operation.
[0050] FIGS. 27 and 28 respectively illustrate a container 160 and
a closure 162 in accordance with another embodiment of the
invention. Container 160 (FIG. 27) has a finish wall 36 from which
a child-resistant element 164 projects. Element 164 is as disclosed
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,348. Finish wall 36 has one or more external
threads 166 and an internal circumferential groove or channel 168
adjacent the open end of the finish. Closure 162 (FIG. 28) has a
skirt 177 with one or more internal threads 170 and an internal lug
172 for cooperation with container element 164 (FIG. 27) as taught
by the above-noted patent. Projection 68 extends from the inner
periphery of base wall 58. Sidewall 72 of projection 68 has a
conical external surface 174 adjacent to the base wall, and has a
circumferentially continuous or segmented external bead 176 spaced
from the base wall. In the child-resistant mode of operation, the
package of container 160 and closure 162 operates as in the
above-noted patent. In the non-child-resistant mode of operation,
projection 68 is received within the mouth of the container. Bead
176 on closure projection 68 is received by snap fit within channel
168 in container wall 36. Closure surface 174 is in plug sealing
engagement with the inside diameter of the container mouth.
[0051] There have thus been disclosed a closure and container
package, a closure, a container, and a method of making a closure
and container package that fully satisfy all of the objects and
aims previously set forth. The invention has been disclosed in
conjunction with a number of presently preferred embodiments, and
additional modifications and variations have also been described.
Other modifications and variations will readily suggest themselves
to persons of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended
to embrace all such modifications and variations as fall within the
spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *